The Cavaliers will try to seek more compensation for their trade of Kyrie Irving for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Nets’ 2018 first-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, after Thomas underwent a physical on Aug. 25 because of a pre-existing hip injury.
Cavaliers will seek ‘further compensation’ in Celtics trade after Isaiah Thomas physical
Kyrie Irving is still in all likelihood headed to Boston, but the deal isn’t final just yet.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Thomas’ hip injury was known in advance of Cleveland accepting the deal, but the Cavs were originally confident that he’d able to return to full health. Now, given the results of his physical, they desire more in return from Boston before finalizing the deal.
At this point, it’s unlikely that the deal would fall through — only that the terms might change.
How did Thomas get hurt in the first place?
Thomas initially hurt his hip in a mid-March game that caused him to miss the next two regular season games. He then tweaked it again in Game 6 of the conference semifinals series against the Wizards, though he continued to play.
Thomas held up ok until Game 2 of the conference finals against the Cavs, where he re-aggravated the injury running into a Kevin Love screen. He was subsequently shut down for the remainder of the playoffs.
He wasn’t required to have surgery during the offseason, and he and the team instead opted for a rehab process.
Here’s video of the injury:
How much did either team know about Thomas’ injury?
In speaking with reporters Tuesday, Boston general manager Danny Ainge admitted that Thomas’ hip situation played at least “some” role in his decision to deal the point guard. Ainge also said his hip might delay his start to the season. In every NBA trade call, health information for every player is given, “including any factors that could affect a player’s ability to play basketball at any point in his career,” according to Larry Coon’s FAQ.
The Cavaliers initially weren’t worried at all about the injury, though, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This changed after Thomas flew in for his physical.
Has a trade been voided like this before?
It’s uncommon, but it has happened before.
Last season, the Rockets, Pistons, and 76ers voided a three-team trade meant to send Donatas Motiejunas to Detroit in exchange for a first-round pick. Motiejunas failed a physical because of back problems, and after the Pistons were awarded an extra 24 hours to evaluate the trade, they opted against it. Three players, including Marcus Thornton and Joel Anthony, were involved in the trade, and all returned to their original teams. Motiejunas only appeared in 34 games last season.
This also happened in 2009, on a much larger scale, when the Hornets attempted to deal Tyson Chandler to the Thunder. During his physical, the Thunder determined the risk of re-injuring a pre-existing toe injury was too great and Oklahoma City called it off. Chandler ended up staying healthy enough to play 74 games in 2011 and win a championship after being traded to the Dallas Mavericks, who did not void the deal.
The Irving-Thomas trade may be the highest profile deal to be terminated because of the inability to pass a physical, though. However, that seems unlikely.
Will the Celtics get in trouble for Thomas’ inability to pass his physical?
Unlikely. Per CBA rules, according to Coon’s CBAFAQ, if a team fails to disclose important information, the commissioner can “impose penalties including a fine up to $1 million, suspension of the team executives who were involved, rescinding the trade, and/or the forfeit of draft picks.” It’s been reported that the Celtics exchanged medical information with the Cavs, though, which is policy.
The teams are free to renegotiate a new deal that works for both sides.
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